Natural infection of Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda: Fasciolidae) in Bulinus truncatus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in northern Tunisia.

Abstract

Monthly samples of Bulinus truncatus were collected during a year from a cattle-breeding farm located in the region of Sejnane (North Tunisia) to detect natural infections with Fasciola hepatica and determine seasonal variations of the prevalence throughout a year. Of the 163 adult bulinids, larval forms of F. hepatica were found in 39% of snails. Two peaks in prevalence, the first in June and the second in October, were also noted. Bulinus truncatus can be added to the list of potential intermediate hosts of F. hepatica.